Harvest Time Bible Camp is not a new project for us. We have worked here before and since Summer of 2014 it has been accepted as a SOWER project. Wayne and I have decided to sponsor the project so whenever we are in this area (Cleveland County, NC) we will work it. There is never a dull moment and there is always work to be done. Since the camp hosts school age campers in the summer and all types of retreats in the Fall, it also houses many farm animals, a small lake, hiking trails, a small waterfall, numerous cabins, 2 staff houses, a pavilion, bath house, a game shack, dining hall and kitchen, several speaker cabins, a barn and several hay sheds.
The very first SOWER project began June 2015 with Bud & Joyce Mucha, Neil & Jane Benson and us. This was a super group to break in Harvest Time. Bud, Neil and Wayne began with ripping out the carpet on the platform of the Chapel and replaced it with laminate flooring and added 2 columns to dress it up. Jane and Gail put up blinds in the Chapel. These 2 projects dressed up the Chapel and gave it a new face lift. Previous volunteers this past Spring painted the inside so this Summer it has really looked spiffy! Joyce is a crafter and her job became craft instructor and organizer. She was very useful and kept the craft shack from becoming chaotic!
Bud & Joyce Mucha, Neil & Jane Benson
and Wayne & Gail Fieler
First job was to remove carpet from stage in chapel
and replace with laminate.
Chickens had to be fed, let out in the mornings
and put up at night (came home to roost)!
These little piggies will soon be sold for BBQ!
The women had to prepare showers in 2 cabins and paint
the entire bathrooms.
Joyce Mucha organizing the craft shack and
preparing for her class.
Bud Mucha showing off his rock laying skills
on the girls staff cabin.
Finished flooring with new columns in the chapel.
Bud, Wayne & Neil repairing the box hockey games.
The first 3 SOWER couples to work at Harvest Time.
Gail & Jane oiling saddles.
13 in all.
Neil & Jane celebrating their 129th project.
Real retirement in store for them after this.
Then off to painting the showers in the girls cabins. The bathrooms looked great but after just a few showers the paint began to come off the walls. So discouraging to say the least. The bathrooms will be fine but after the Summer sessions finish the SOWERs that come in the Fall will begin to repaint the showers with a 2-part epoxy paint that will require ventilation and ventilators to be worn while painting. Oh well, our intentions were good!
Bud & Neil replaced the screening in one of the A-frame cabins so that the children will be shielded from bugs while playing games. The ladies also helped out in the kitchen whenever possible.
Neil & Jane celebrated their 129th project while at Harvest Time and this could possibly be their last. That was amazing - Harvest Time’s 1st official SOWER project - Neil & Jane’s last. It will be sad to lose them but all good things must come to an end sooner or later. SOWERs will miss them but I am sure over the years they have instructed many newbies along the way. Their smiling faces and great attitude will be missed.
July was equally busy. Mal & Debbie Wall joined Wayne & I this month. Wow, it is amazing what 2 men can accomplish with an electrical engineering and chemical engineering background. They repaired 3 hay sheds, tackled many electrical jobs including wiring new lights in the barn, and concocted bow and arrow holders at the archery range. They also repaired several septic clean out valves. Debbie and I painted scripture in 3 places on the pavilion. It was a huge project and one day we worked to sundown to get it finished but the payoff has been huge. Everyone notices it and we know that the Lord blesses His Word.
Gail & Debbie painting one of three scripture
verses on the craft shack/pavilion.
One of three hay barns that Wayne & Mal repaired.
Finished verses in pavilion.
Mal & Wayne creating bow hangers from bed frames!
Our McGuivers at their best!
Debbie & Mal celebrating their 100th project at HTBC.
YMCA!!!!
2nd SOWER project at HTBC with the Walls and Fielers.
Painting in the sun on the back of the pavilion.
A little time for play!
Debbie & Mal - 100 projects! You rock.
Another huge milestone was celebrated this month for Mal & Debbie - their 100th project. The last night we had a special dessert and over 150 sparklers were lit in the pavilion area in their honor. They received their “red badge of honor” and we look forward to seeing them wear them proudly. Mal & Debbie have added Harvest Time to their area rep collection so they will be overseeing the project yearly.
Wayne & I are alone as SOWERs for August - that’s ok but we miss our friends. We have found plenty to do from repainting the game room on 3 outside walls including knee walls with 2-part epoxy that is like painting on bubble gum. Yuk - not our fav! Next scripture on the outside wall facing the world. Scripture was carefully chosen that will speak to spectators for years to come and possibly woo unbelievers to seek a personal relationship with Jesus. We are praying.
Reupholstering the seats for 2 stage chairs as well as refinishing them. Gail continues to help in the kitchen. Adding gates to 3 hay barns so that the horses will not help themselves to hay in the winter! And repair to another hay barn that was victim to a tractor mishap! These have kept us busier than worker bees this month.
While being at Harvest Time for 3 months we were able to take a few much needed vacations…….Cincinnati, OH, Ocala, FL and St. Simons Island, GA. Gotta mix in fun with work - that’s what retirement requires! Our granddaughter, Lilly, was able to spend close to 3 weeks with us while at Harvest Time. She sooooooo loves camp/farm life! Soon we will be washing and waxing the RV and car, hook up the car and move on. Next we will be venturing to Doe River Gorge in Elizabethton, TN. Sure hope September proves to be cooler in TN - it has been really hot in Ellenboro, NC this Summer.
Lilly giving a new twist on carpet ball.
She loved the game room.
Mister Wayne with Lilly, Naomi & Noah!
Wayne & Lilly on the "bulldozer"! And
of course the baby doll was a great help!
August was just Wayne & I and of course
2 weeks of Lilly camp. A most memorable
summer for her.
G'pa Wayne bullbozing!
This says it all........final project finished.
Now God said His Word will not return void - already
it has sparked neighborly interest. To God be the Glory, Amen.
One very bit of exciting news - we have been approved for the 2 Alaska projects for June, July & August of 2016. We are beyond excited and our very good Oregon friends, Sue & Roy Anderson will be going along with us. This next year will be filled with firsts in every way - Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska and Montana. Whew, makes me tired just thinking about it!
RV crazy or what?!
A long weekend trip in August to St. Simons, GA.
The beach was calling my name one last time before we head to the Pacific once again!
